Raipur, April 30 The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning for severe weather conditions in several districts of Chhattisgarh, including the possibility of thunderstorms, lightning, and hailstorms. The alert follows heavy rains and strong winds that affected various regions on Tuesday, damaging crops and lowering temperatures across the state.

According to IMD Raipur, a north-south trough extending from northwest Madhya Pradesh to northern Tamil Nadu at 1.5 km above sea level is currently influencing weather patterns. Additionally, a cyclonic circulation at 0.9 km altitude is stretching across Vidarbha, Marathwada, interior Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. These combined systems are likely to trigger light to moderate rainfall, thunder, and hail in some parts of Chhattisgarh over the next 24 hours.

Temperatures remain elevated, with Durg district recording the highest maximum temperature at 39.4°C. Raipur registered 38.5°C during the day and 22.8°C at night, slightly above normal. The IMD predicts no major change in maximum temperatures over the next five days but has warned of continued localised storms and precipitation.

Tuesday’s unseasonal hailstorm wreaked havoc in districts such as Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi, Amarpur, Senwara, and Bhadaura. Farmers faced losses as their standing crops—including rice, wheat, mustard, pulses, and seasonal fruits and vegetables like mango, jamun, tomato, and okra—were destroyed. Hailstones accumulated in thick layers across roads and fields, exacerbating the destruction.

Even harvested crops like wheat sheaves, stored after threshing, were damaged by the sudden downpour. The agricultural department has initiated preliminary damage assessments and assured farmers that compensation measures will be taken promptly.

Officials have confirmed that early estimates of crop losses are being compiled, and the government will provide financial aid to impacted farmers. With significant damage observed in multiple agricultural belts, the state’s farming community has urged for immediate support to recover from this weather-induced disaster.

As unpredictable weather patterns continue to affect central India, authorities advise residents and farmers to stay updated with official forecasts and take necessary precautions.